Crazy Assed Goose
Nova Slayer
Joined: 16 Jun 2010
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MarJay
But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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 Posted: 21:59 - 28 Jun 2010  Post subject: Re: Getting a new bike. |
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| Crazy Assed Goose wrote: | At the minute I have an NC30, I like that it is small and handles really well so I can keep up with my friends on the twisties, but not the straighties as they all have 600 and 1000s.
For my next bike I want something with about 100bhp, but something that is very nimble and good handling, and quite sporty with fairings.
I know there are the four 600s to choose from, and I sort of want to go with on of them for the ease of getting parts etc.
At the same time I want something a bit different. All I can think of is a Buell firebolt.
Any other suggestions? Looking to spend about 2-3k. Think NC30-ish with a bit more power.
Ideally I could just stick a turbo on my NC30 lol.
Cheers |
I used to have a Buell XB12R Firebolt, and now I have an XB12S Lightning. I wouldn't change it for the world, but I fear that it isn't a bike for everybody. A cheap one will definitely be terrible.
I had my Firebolt for 18 months, and it was great. I had one issue with it which was that the sidestand bolt sheared off. I now have an XB12S which is the same bike, but I haven't been so lucky with this one. It had a leak in the oil cooler couplings, and the piston rings lost their temper and it burned oil. I spent a lot of money getting it fixed, and I've only had it about six months.
The XB Buells aren't as light as current sport 600s, and they don't make loads of power (about 90bhp). They do handle well, and they can be set up easily to suit each rider. There is a table in the owners manual that tells you how to set it up for your weight. They redline at 7k rpm, which will be weird if you're used to an NC30. They aren't very well built but the power delivery is awesome. Its very much a marmite bike, and if you ride it and like it, you'll fall in love with it. If you don't like it, you'll hate it.
If you're looking for an every day bike, or a bike you want to ride in the rain, or in the winter I'd say forget it. Harley Davidson charge a lot for parts, and servicing is shockingly expensive. Insurance is high for what it is, and various parts will rust unless you keep it clean. Saying that though, my SV650 was much worse for corrosion than the Buell. Bear in mind that the CBR600RR is lighter, more powerful, more reliable, cheaper for parts, cheaper for servicing, has entirely metric fasteners (the Buell is about half metric half AF/Imperial). It is also very much like an NC30 with the volume turned up.
I rode a 2007 CBR600RR a few years back and it was an excellent bike. Light, fast, with a very short wheel base. It handled amazingly, wheelied easily, stoppied without thinking about it and was an absolute dream. I couldn't afford one at the time but I'd consider one in future if I decide I don't like the XB any more. I'm a bit of a masochist when it comes to bikes though, I really like the power delivery of the Buell, and I find it hard to find bikes which can easily be set up for my weight and riding style. It suits me but I can easily see how it isn't for everyone. It vibrates like an imbalanced washing machine at idle, and in fact it vibrates so much that it could easily vibrate itself off of the stand if you aren't careful.
Neither of the XB models have a full fairing, and they do give off a lot of heat under the seat and from the exhaust. I felt like my boot was covered in hot oil today, but it was just the heat from the exhaust. It gives you a hot bottom in hot weather and you aren't supposed to drive at 'parade speeds' for any length of time. If you ride it in temperatures below 15 degrees C it needs oil changes every 1500 miles.
It does have maintenance free belt drive, but it also has a primary chain that runs inside the crankcase that needs checking and adjusting periodically, but only every 10,000 or so miles. The valves use hydraulic tappets so don't need adjusting, but if you overrev the bike you can blow a valve guide seal which is a 12hr labour job to fix. The engine needs to come out of the frame to do any engine work at all.
You really really need to know what you're letting yourself into when you buy a Buell. I liken it more to Moto Guzzi ownership than Japanese bike ownership. You don't buy one because its a good bike. You buy one because you've fallen in love with it. Personally, knowing what I know now, I'd advise that you buy the 600RR or R6. For me, I love my Buell and there is probably two models of bike out there that I might consider replacing it with. They are the Street Triple R or the KTM Superduke 990. Both of which are a little out of my budget at the moment.
I'm not sure the Buell will keep up with 600's on the straights, as a modern 600 makes about 110bhp, whereas the Buell makes 90bhp and only has a five speed gearbox. Top speed practically is as close as dammit to 100mph because of the lack of fairing and the riding position.
To conclude, I'd advise you to test ride a Buell, and then test ride a few 600s. I reckon you'll go with the 600, especially if you like the NC30. I had an NC30 between my two Buells and I couldn't get on with it. The seat was too hard and the bars were too low. Draw from that what you will! 
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another. |
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kt
Nitrous Nuisance
Joined: 21 Jun 2010
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Crazy Assed Goose
Nova Slayer
Joined: 16 Jun 2010
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MarJay
But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003
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